AgSur gains good practices from PPRMF aside from
multi-million infra projects
By David M. Suyao
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, April 10 (PIA) -
Agusan del Sur has acquired good and efficient practices from the Philippines
Provincial Road Management facility (PPRMF) aside from the multi-million worth
of infrastructure projects that give access on the towns of Sibagat and
Esperanza to Bayugan City, which are mostly agricultural and forest production
areas.
Sibagat is the abaca and coconut production and
processing center, while Esperanza is the source of rice, corn as well as fresh
and processed tilapia. The Rehabilitation with Minor improvement (RMI) project
of the PPRMF has improved the transport of agricultural produce of these towns
toward Bayugan City and Butuan City as centers of market and trading.
Aside from the access roads in Sibagat and
Esperanza amounting to P6,678,251, there are four other projects that are
funded by the PRMF in Agusan del Sur amounting to a total of P27,897,611 and
another two projects that were financed by the RMI Incentive Fund for the
province amounting to P13,662,859. All in all, the total cost of projects
spread in the province reached up to P48,238, 721.
Aside from the infra projects, the Provincial
Government of Agusan del Sur (PGAS) has acquired and improved nine governance
systems brought by the PRMF. First is the increased budget for road
rehabilitation and maintenance, registering an annual allocation of P15 million
in 2011 to P120.9 million in 2014, indicating a boost in local road investment.
Second, the province has improved skills in road planning and design where the
Provincial Engineering Office started designing roads upgrading projects with
the help of computer-aided design technology provided through training and
coaching by the PRMF.
Third, the province has employed safety and
environmental safeguards in road construction. PGAS has organized an
Environmental Compliance Monitoring (ECM) team under the Provincial Monitoring
and Evaluation Group (PMEG) to ensure environmental compliance of road
projects. The fourth is the increased income through improved revenue
generation strategies noting that from 2011 to 2013, PGAS has generated a local
income in the amount of P95 million, P132.4 million and 140.4 million,
respectively.
PGAS has also improved audit monitoring system
where the Provincial Internal Audit Office, together with the Provincial
Information Management Office (PIMO) has developed and operationalized a
computer based Audit Recommendation Monitoring System. Another innovation is
that PGAS has developed an e-procurement system where the Bids and Awards,
together with PIMO on the front line to ensure a more transparent procurement
process, in compliance with the provisions of RA 9184.
PGAS has also improved its human resource
development and management. Through the PRMF, the system was enhanced and is
being upgraded to cover all functions of human resource development and
management.
With the help of PRMF, PGAS has improved information
system and procedures where the provincehas developed various information
system. Real Property Tax was also enhanced and replicated in the municipal
level and lastly, PGAS has improved its monitoring and evaluation skills. With
this, the Provincial Monitoring and Evaluation Group (PMEG) reports are used as
reference in determining appropriation of funds for road rehabilitation and
maintenance projects.
Because of these improvements and incentives,
Agusan del Sur ranked first among the ten partner provinces in the incentives
performance assessment and was awarded RMI Incentive Fund amounting to
P13,662,859 for another two projects. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
300 job vacancies at mini-job fair in Tandag City
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, April 10 (PIA) -
More than 300 job vacancies from the two local employers are available at the
mini-job fair slated in two separate schedules at the city gymnasium, here.
Tandag Public Employment Service Office (PESO)
officer Lorna Novo said, the Prince Warehouse Club Incorporation, located at
Moonglow, Bag-ong Lungsod, this city is scheduled to accept applicants from
April 14 to 16 for several positions. While on April 16-18, the Gaisano Capital
Tandag, which is set to open within this year, is looking for around 300
workers.
Novo said interested applicants may visit the
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Surigao del Sur provincial office or
call telephone number (086) 211-3378 or at the PESO Tandag at telephone number
(086) 211-5169. (NGB/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
SurSur agri office continues to gear up for El
NiΓ±o
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, April 10 (PIA) – The Office of the
Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) in Surigao del Sur has continued to set up
mitigating measures to cushion the possible impact of El NiΓ±o phenomenon here.
Marcos Quico, OPAg chief, reiterated mustering
efforts through the help of counterparts at the city and town levels.
Among the steps made, he confirmed, was the
compliance to the request last month of Regional Executive Director (RED) Edna
Mabeza of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office (DA-RFO) in
Caraga regarding the submission of the “list of area” that could “possibly be
affected including operational/non operational NIA water service station.”
El NiΓ±o is described as a phenomenon characterized
by severe climate disruption particularly to countries in and beside the
Pacific.
However, despite reports of El NiΓ±o now affecting
some areas in the central and western parts of Mindanao, so far, OPAg has not
yet issued any information to this
effect, it was learned. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
8th Siargao international game fishing tournament
opens
By Mary Jul Escalante
PILAR, Surigao del Norte, Apr. 10 (PIA) – The 8th Siargao International Game
Fishing Tournament opened on Thursday, April 9, the activity will run until
April 12, 2015 at the town of Pilar, Siargao Island.
Around 40 anglers from Philippines, Japan, Dubai,
Hungary, Australia, USA, England and Singapore competed for the following
categories: Biggest Billfish, Biggest Talakitok, Biggest Wahoo/Tangigue and
Biggest Dorado.
The opening ceremony was graced by Department of
Tourism (DOT) assistant secretary Arturo Boncato, 1st district representative
Francisco T. Matugas, governor Sol F. Matugas, vice governor Arturo Carlos
Egay, Jr, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and mayors from different
municipalities of Siargao Island.
A fifteen-minute firework display highlighted the
said event.
The event is a joint undertaking between the DOT
Caraga, the province of Surigao del Norte, and the local government unit of
Pilar. (SDR/PIC-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
PRO 13 reg’l chaplain on solo countrywide bike
tour as tribute to “44 Fallen SAF” commandos
By Noel B. Najarro
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 10 (PIA) - Police Superintendent
Fr. Joselito D. Borja took a leave from his chaplaincy duties as the regional
chaplain of Police Regional Office 13 starting Thursday in order to embark on a
solo countrywide bike tour as a tribute to the 44 Special Action Force (SAF)
Commandos and those SAFs who were wounded in action during the tragic January
25 encounter at Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
PSupt. Martin M. Gamba, the regional chief
spokesperson of PRO 13, in an interview this morning, said that Supt. Borja’s
17-days and 1,276 kilometers Philippine Bike Tour dubbed as “PADYAKBAYANI: A
TRIBUTE TO THE 44 SAF COMMANDOS,” will cover some selected places from Luzon,
Visayas and Mindanao starting today and will culminate here at Camp Rafael C.
Rodriguez in the morning of the 25th of April.
Fr. Borja’s purpose of the countrywide bicycle
tour, which kicked-off today in time with the celebration of the “Araw Ng
Kagitingan” is a personal expression of the sympathy to the families of 44 SAF
heroes killed in action and wounded in action (WIA). It will also be done in
order to perpetuate their heroic memory. The bike tour is also a call to every
PNP member to be true to their sworn duties which is: “To Serve and Protect.”
It is also a call to every Filipino to love their policemen and women and be a
partner in solving crimes and also a call on every Filipino to strive and make
positive changes in whatever endeavor.
The first day of Borja’s bike tour will include
his flight from Butuan to Manila in the morning, and in the afternoon, a visit
to the wounded SAF troopers now confined at the PNP General Hospital which will
be followed by a concelebrated mass at the Chapel in Camp Crame and receive the
blessings from the chief of the Directorate of the Chaplaincy Services.
The Luzon tour will commence on Day 2: (Friday,
April 10) at Camp Crame, Cubao, Quezon City-Luneta Park, Manila-Tagaytay
City-PNPA-Tanuan City, Batangas (98 kilometers); Day 3: (Saturday, April 11)
Tanauan City-Batangas Port, Roro Batangas Port-Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Puerto
Galera-Calapan City (87 kilometers); Day 4: ( April 12 Sunday): Early morning
bike with PNP and Civilian Bikers ( 20 kilometers) and a Holy Mass at Camp
Navarro, PRO 4B. Day 5: (Monday, April 13) Calapan City-Roxas, Mindoro, Roro
Roxas, Mindoro-Caticlan (120 kilometers). Day 6: (Tuesday April 14)
Caticlan-Boracay-Caticlan.
The Visayan tour will start on Day 6 p.m. from
Caticlan to Kalibo City, which will cover (72 kilometers); Day 7: (Wednesday,
April 15) Kalibo City-Passi City (107 kilometers); Day 8: (April 16, Thursday)
Passi City-Iloilo City (48 kilometers) and Day 9: (April 17, Friday) an early
morning bike with PNP and civilian bikers (20 kilometers) followed by a Holy
Mass at Camp Delgado, PRO 6. Day 10: (April 18, Saturday) Roro Iloilo
City-Bacolod City Bike Tour; Day 11: (April 19, Sunday) Bacolod City-Kabankalan
City (82 kilometers); Day 12: (April 20, Monday) Kabankalan City-Dumaguete City
(126 kilometers); Day 13: (April 21, Tuesday) Roro Dumaguete-Dapitan City.
The Mindanao tour will commence on the afternoon
of the 13th day Dapitan City-Dipolog City (13 kilometers). Day 14: (April 22,
Wednesday) Dipolog City-Oroquita City (98 kilometers); Day 15: (April 23,
Thursday) Oroquita City-Ozamis City, Roro to Mukas, Lanao Norte (38 kilometers)
and in the afternoon Mukas, Lanao del Norte to Cagayan de Oro City (Camp
Alagar) (144 kilometers); Day 16: (April 24, Friday) Cagayan de Oro
City-Balingoan, Misamis Oriental (89 kilometers) and Day 17: (April 25,
Saturday) from Balingoan, Misamis Oriental – Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez, Butuan
City (114 kilometers). (PNA/PIA-Caraga)
Butuan City Police groundbreaks P16M HQ building
By Noel B. Najarro
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 10 (PIA) - The Butuan City
Police Office (BPCO) held on Wednesday the groundbreaking rites of its P16
million city headquarters building, on a lot donation by one of the prominent
city business scions engaged in hotel business here.
The ground breaking ceremony was held at the 2,000
square meters lot donated by the Malvar family, represented by Dr. Potenciano
R. Malvar, proprietor of the well-known Balanghai Hotel here in the city, at
Brgy. Limaha. Attending the ground breaking rites was Butuan City Mayor
Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr., who was the guest of honor and speaker during the
event; senior regional police officials led by Caraga PNP chief PCSupt. David
Y. Ombao; Butuan City Police Officials and personnel led by Butuan City Police
Director PSSupt. Nerio T. Bermudo and Limaha Brgy. Capt. Raymund Caraboyna.
Officiating the ceremony was Fr. Joselito D.
Borja, Police Regional Office 13, regional chaplain.
Mayor Amante during his message wishes that more
business people in the city will emulate the generosity of the Malvar family
who has the good heart of sharing their possessions for the good of the
community. “There are few people like the Malvar family, who have not hesitated
to donate a lot as spacious as this one, located in the center of the city,
knowing the city business is booming and the price of lot here is increasing,”
Amante said.
According to him, the donation was timely as the
transfer of the city headquarters of the Butuan City Police Office near the
city’s Guingona Park is now being hastened. It was learned that the National
Historical Institute is planning to develop the present office of the BCPO into
a heritage, cultural and arts site. Amante also said that the proposed police
office is suitably located at a serene and breezy place. The Malvars started
planting the vicinity with trees three years ago, which are growing up now.
Amante challenged the PNP to plant some more trees in the area and make their
city police headquarters “a police station in the forest,” in line with the
city’s vision to “plant a million trees.”
PCSupt. Ombao thanked the Malvars for the right
time has come for the city police to transfer their headquarters to a more suitable
location. According to him that as a good gesture of recognizing the donors’
wish for more visible police presence, peace and orderliness, a crime-free and
drug-free Butuan City as among the motivations of their family donation, he
will augment possibly by next week the city’s police force.
According to Ombao, a two-storey “Class A” PNP
Building project will soon be constructed in two-phase, with a cost of P16
million pesos, of which the first phase, which may cost P14 million will be
funded by the PNP. The second phase, which costs around P2 million pesos is
allotted for the finishing touches and to be funded by the city government and
may be separately bid out. (PNA/PIA-Caraga)
DILG 13 reveals Lupong Tagapamayapa 2015 regional
finalists
By Don Manuelo O. Patrimonio
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 10 (PIA) - After thorough
deliberation of the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards (LTIA) Regional
Awards Committee headed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG) Caraga regional director Lilibeth A. Famacion as chairperson, the LTIA
Regional Finalists for C.Y. 2015 are finally revealed. This after having
assessed last March 30, 2015 the different provincial winners who in turn were
the regional level qualifiers.
For the Highly Urbanized Cities Category, Brgy.
Tiniwisan of Butuan City although by default is the sole entry, was still
assessed by the RAC and deemed fit for the national search. Brgy. Tiniwisan is
a new entry for Butuan City after Brgy. San Vicente consistently landed among
the top 3 finalists at the national search for three consecutive years and is
currently vying for national champion title for the assessment last year to
land it the Hall-of-Famer status in the category.
For Component Cities Category, Brgy. Mabini of
Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte bested the other provincial winners, namely:
Brgy. Taft, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte; and Brgy. Telaje, Tandag City,
Surigao del Sur.
For 1st – 3rd Class Municipalities Category, Brgy.
Alegria of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur won over Brgy. Macalang of Buenavista,
Agusan del Norte; Brgy. Cabungaan of Cagdinanao, Dinagat Islands; Brgy.
Urbiztondo of Claver, Surigao del Norte; and Brgy. Poblacion of Barobo, Surigao
del Sur.
And for 4th – 6th Class Municipalities Category,
Brgy. Tagmamarkay of Tubay, Agusan del Norte trumped Brgy. Sta. Cruz of San
Jose, Dinagat Islands; Brgy. Poblacion, Bacuag, Surigao del Norte; and Brgy. La
Purisima, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur.
These regional winners also serve as
qualifiers/finalists to the national search where they will compete against
other regions for the top three spots per category. The National Winners will
be awarded in December this year at the MalacaΓ±ang Palace.
The LTIA Regional Assessment was held at DILG
Regional Office – Local Governance Regional Resource Center (LGRRC) with the
presence of the Regional Awards Committee (RAC): DILG RD Famacion; Atty.
Marigel D. Hugo, LTIA RAC Vice Chairperson and OIC-Regional State Prosecutor of
the Department of Justice XIII; and RAC Members Atty. Cisco Franz S. Maclang of
the Branch 1, Regional Trial Court, 10th Judicial Region; PCI Amadeo A. Meude,
Jr. of the Philippine National Police XIII; Exec. Dir. Arnold L. Tapere of
Propegemus Foundation, Inc. and Dir. Mary May R. Cadosales-Diaz of the
Educational Discipline in Culture and Area-Based Development Services, Inc.
(EDCADS).
Three major criteria, to wit (1) efficiency in
operations, (2) effectiveness in securing Katarungang Pambarangay (KP)
objectives, and (3) creativity and resourcefulness of the Lupong Tagapamayapa
were followed in the assessment.
The Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards (LTIA)
was established since 1997 as a means to institutionalize a system of granting
economic benefits and other incentives to the Lupong Tagapamayapa that
demonstrates exemplary performance in settling disputes at the grassroots
level. These Lupons, comprising of the Punong Barangay as chair and 10-20
members, are based on the mandate of the barangays to enforce peace and order
and provide support for the effective enforcement of human rights and justice
as stipulated in Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the 1991 Local
Government Code. Decentralization has facilitated the recognition of the
Katarungang Pambarangay or Barangay Justice System as an alternative venue for
the resolution of disputes. (DILG-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Inauguration of PRO 13 officers memorial
highlights regional police 73rd “Araw Ng Kagitingan” celebration
By Noel B. Najarro
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 10 (PIA) - Police Regional
Office 13 (Caraga) marked its “Araw Ng Kagitingan” celebrations with the
inauguration and wreath laying of its “Police Regional Office 13 Officers
Memorial.”
The inaugural rites was presided by Caraga PNP
chief PCSupt. David Y. Ombao, heading the PRO 13 command group, the directorial
staff, personal staff and support office, PRO 13 regional headquarters
personnel, the battalion commander of the regional public safety battalion,
officers and personnel and the national support units.
The guest of honor and speaker of the inaugural
and wreath-laying rites was Hon. Emmanuel E. Escatron, chairperson of the
Regional Police 13 Regional Advisory Council (RAC) and the Vice-Executive
Judge, Regional Trial Court 2/3. Rev. Fr. Felixberto M. Floreta, Parish Vicar,
Sto. Nino Church in Brgy. Libertad officiated the blessings, attended by the
kindreds (or representatives) of the fallen officers, chiefs or representatives
of some line government agencies, barangay officials led by Libertad Barangay
Capt. Vincent Rizal C. Rosario and the members of the Police Regional Advisory
Council (RAC).
Hon. Escatron led the cutting of the ceremonial
ribbon and unveiling of the marker assisted by CSupt. Ombao and the families of
the fallen officers. It was followed by the wreath-laying rites highlighted by
the marching offertory of four selected police non-commissioned officers,
followed by the marching of the all-female police platoon serving as the
wreath-laying guards. The act of laying of the wreaths was led by Judge
Escatron assisted by CSupt. Ombao and the families of the fallen officers. The
sound of the tap by a member of the PRO 13 band and a three-volley fire
gun-salute performed by seven all-female police volley firers followed by the
flower offerings of the families of the fallen officers concluded the wreath-laying
rites.
In his message, Hon. Escatron reviewed the heroism
of the Filipinos and American soldiers during the Japanese occupation on World
War II, when Major General Edward P. King of the United States Army was forced
to surrender with 76,000 Filipinos, Chinese and American soldiers to the
Japanese at dawn of April 9, 1942. The soldiers were then forced to take the
90-mile (about 145 kilometers hike) to Camp ‘O Donnel in San Fernando Pampanga.
Thousands, according to Escatron, died during the death march due to
maltreatment, starvation and dehydration before they could reach the camp.
“After 73 years had passed but the act of bravery and heroism of our soldiers
were not forgotten…a constant reminder to us that there were heroes who fought,
sacrificed and offered their lives so that we can attain freedom and
democracy,” Escatron said.
Escatron also said that along with the national
observance of the “Araw Ng Kagtingan” the Thursday morning gathering for the
inauguration, blessing and wreath-laying of the newly finished “PRO 13 Police
Officers Memorial” was also a commemoration for those police officers in this
region who were killed in the performance of their duties. He commended the
regional police headed by CSupt. Ombao in coming up with the project “which
served as a memorial fitting to honor, the heroism and bravery of police
officers who offered their lives in the performance of their duties, whose
names were inscribed in the memorial wall.” According to him that the memorial
will constantly remind us Caraganons and as Butuanons in particular and as
Filipinos in general on the heroism and sacrifices of our police to protect us
from lawless elements.
“May this memorial be also an inspiration and a
source of courage and pride to our police officers to continue protecting and
serving the country and the community with so much dedication,” Escatron said.
(PNA/PIA-Caraga)
SURSECO II set to hold BOD polls, 4 members due
for election
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, April 10 (PIA) –
Four out of the 14-member board of directors (BOD) of Surigao del Sur Electric
Cooperative II (SURSECO II) are due for election this April 2015, according to
Macedonio Andoy, Jr., BOD secretary.
In a letter dated February 25, 2015 informing
Governor Johnny Pimentel of the event, he cited the dates of the BOD polls on
April 11, 12, 18, and 19, respectively, for Carrascal, Cortes, Tago, and
Bayabas.
Notably, such schedules fall on weekends—either
Saturday or Sunday.
“We would like to inform you that this coming
April 2015, Surigao del Sur Electric Cooperative II (SURSECO II) will be
holding again an election for the members of the Board of Directors for four
(4) districts/municipalities,” Andoy
pointed out.
Meanwhile, based on the final screening of
candidates, only one for each district has come out to have qualified for the
upcoming BOD polls.
Aguinaldo Jaluag, SURSECO II information officer,
agreed that apparently these qualified candidates are already sure winners.
In the meantime, Lourna Padro, Institutional
Services Department (ISD) manager, certified true and correct the information
regarding the list of qualified candidates.
This includes both incumbent BODs-candidates Celso
Azarcon of Carrascal and Reynold Dumagan of Cortes; besides candidates Marcel
Laurente of Tago and Isidro Quimpan of Bayabas, who are both aiming for their
maiden term.
Earlier, it was learned that both “second termer”
Bayabas and Tago BODs, in the persons of Macedonio Andoy, Jr. and Nicolas
Laurente, are already barred from running owing to the new Energy Regulatory
Commission’s (ERC’s) policy regarding state employees, including espouses, if
married, whose positions carry the salary grade (SG) of 16 and above.
As far as Carrascal and Cortes districts, Azarcon
and Dumagan, both re-electionists, will surely keep their respective posts
since the challenger for the former was said to have been disqualified while
the latter is unopposed.
BOD Azarcon is currently gunning for his last term
while BOD Dumagan is going for his second term, it was learned. (NGBT/Radyo ng
Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
